Spoon Carving Techniques

Notice how in carving the spoons'
back the knife is pushed along by the left hand(bottom)
fingers. This is a most important technique used constantly in
spoon carving. It is the opposite of what one might think. The
knife hand is pushing gently away from the edge
against the other hand, the opposite hand providing the power
for the cut. This opposition of the hands is one of the most
important secrets to fine knife control. Notice the thumb
under the handle, not on top in the path of the edge; and the
angle of the blade to the wood - for a slicing cut.

More pictures of knife techniques

I had the privilage of attending a rare
class given by Jögge Sundquist (he is the son of my mentor,
Ville Sundquist). Here are some pics of him showing more hand
positions......

Here Jögge is pushing with the thumb, or levering against
it, for finer control. (The leather wrist band has 2 functions,
one is to strengthen the wrist for axe and adze carving..........the
other is style, he had a rock and roll band!)

This
is the cross thumb grip. Powerful control!

Power
cuts

Power
cut #3

Beginuing of scissor cut, the most controlled
and powerful cut to learn. The shoulders are rotated foward, the
hands then pulled apart by the shoulders opening up. I call it
the chicken wing cut!

The scissor cut finished, note the hands are still
connected to the ribs.

Jögge's cut where the wood is rotated

I will be adding more knife grips to
this section as I can. Jögge's wonderful new book
is just out in Swedish - Slöjda I Trä - (Craft in
wood) If you speak Swedish, or if you don't, visit
his website (click) to learn more. Hopefully when it comes
out in English, in a year or so, we will be able to offer it here.
Thankyou Jögge, for your inspiration, your dancing hands,
your joy of life.